The Master of Arts in Recreation Administration

The MA in Recreation Administration prepares students to assume supervisory and managerial positions in the following general areas: community recreation and leisure services, private and commercial enterprises, parks and natural resources management, and recreation therapy services and recreation for diverse populations. The program also provides preparation for students who wish to pursue doctorates at other institutions and/or teaching positions in post-secondary settings.

Course Requirements for the Master's Degree: 30 units

Continuous enrollment is required. At the discretion of the academic program, a maximum of 30 percent of the units counted toward the degree requirements may be special session credit earned in non-matriculated status combined with all transfer coursework. This applies to special session credit earned through Open University, or in courses offered for academic credit through the Center for Regional and Continuing Education.

Graduate Time Limit:

All requirements for the degree are to be completed within five years of the end of the semester of enrollment in the oldest course applied toward the degree. See Master's Degree Requirements in the University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements.

Prerequisites for Admission to Conditionally Classified Status:

3. An acceptable baccalaureate in Recreation, Hospitality, and/or Parks (or an allied discipline) from an accredited institution, or an equivalent approved by the Office of Graduate Studies. (Students with a baccalaureate in a field other than Recreation, Hospitality, and/or Parks may be admitted to conditionally classified status, but may be required to complete specified undergraduate classes.)

4. Successful work experience in Recreation, Hospitality, and/or Parks, or in a related field for approximately one year, or the equivalent.

5. Three letters of recommendation from former instructors and/or employers.

6. Completion of the Graduate Record Examination General Aptitude Test with a minimum combined score of 1000 (or equivalent) based on the verbal reasoning and quantitative reasoning with no score lower than 450 on either measure, and a minimum score of 3.5 on the analytical writing measure.

Prerequisites for Admission to Classified Status:

In addition to any requirements listed above:

1. A 3.0 (B) average in all postbaccalaureate course work.

Advancement to Candidacy:

In addition to any requirements listed above:

1. Classified graduate standing and completion at the University of at least 9 units of the proposed program.

2. Formation of the graduate advisory committee in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator.

3. Development of an approved program in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator.

Requirements for the MA Degree in Recreation Administration:

Completion of all requirements as established by the department graduate committee, the graduate advisory committee, and the Office of Graduate Studies, to include:

1. Completion of an approved program consisting of 30 units of 400/500/600-level courses as follows:

(b) At the discretion of the academic program, a maximum of 30 percent of the units counted toward the degree requirements may be special session credit earned in non-matriculated status combined with all transfer coursework. This applies to special session credit earned through Open University, or in courses offered for academic credit through the Center for Regional and Continuing Education. (Correspondence courses and UC Extension coursework are not acceptable for transfer).

(c) Not more than 15 units taken before admission to classified status.

(d) Not more than a total of 10 units of Independent Study (697) and Master's Thesis (699T) or Master's Project (699P); not more than 6 units of Master's Thesis (699T) or Master's Project (699P).

2. Completion of one of the following plans:

a. Thesis Plan

Foundations of theory and the professional organization of the field of recreation. Exploration of the social, psychological, cultural, economic, physical, and environmental determinants of leisure behavior. Critical analysis of the growing body of research and literature in the field. 3 hours lecture.
(008873)

A critical examination of selected theories, current research, methods, and professional practice in management of leisure services in public, commercial, and non-profit settings. Examination of current relevant literature. Student research and in-depth presentations required. 3 hours seminar. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 4.0 units.
(008879)

A critical examination of selected theories, current research, methods, and professional practice in leadership for recreation and organizational settings. Examination of current, relevant literature. Student research and in-depth presentations required. 3 hours seminar. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 4.0 units.
(008882)

This course is offered for 1.0-6.0 units. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. Thesis requirements include systematic study of a significant problem; writing of the thesis, which identifies the problem, summarizes related research, describes the methodology used, and presents findings and conclusions. 9 hours supervision. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. Credit/no credit grading.
(008893)

This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of research methods associated with the field of communication. The predominant focus is quantitative inquiry with attention to surveys, experiments, content analysis, and evaluation research. Also included is experience in computer analysis of statistical data and construction of a research proposal. 3 hours seminar.
(002046)

The formation of research problems, evaluation of research, and research report styles in kinesiology. The interrelation of theory and research and the variety of researcy methods (e.g., descriptive, experimental, qualitative) are examined. This is a required course in the MA program. 3 hours seminar.
(015962)

Note: KINE 602 may be taken only with the Graduate Advisory Committee's approval.

Study of the descriptive and inferential statistics commonly used in kinesiology research. Emphasis is on learning concepts critical to reading research and using statistical computer programs with kinesiology data. This is a required course in the MA program. 3 hours seminar.
(007038)

This course is an introduction to qualitative research methods in communication studies including: conceptualization, research design, data collection procedures, and analyses. The role of communication theory in guiding and informing research design in the field is emphasized, as are the ethical and political dimensions of conducting qualitative research. 3 hours seminar.
(002254)

Note: CMST 603 may be taken only with the Graduate Advisory Committee's approval.

9 units selected from:

Select an additional 9 units of course work approved by the Graduate Advisory Committee chair. Selected courses may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Knowledge and skill development in writing grant proposals for health and community services. Skills in researching government, foundation, and corporate funding opportunities. Diversifying nonprofit income through other fundraising strategies. 3 hours seminar.
(001618)

This course is an internship offered for 1.0-4.0 units. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. Supervised field experience in a selected agency congruent with the student's major emphasis. Periodic conferences, and evaluation sessions with student, agency personnel, and University faculty. Student reports are required. 9 hours supervision. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 15.0 units.
(008885)

This course is a graduate-level independent study offered for 1.0-6.0 units. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. Research is supervised by a faculty member and is separate from the thesis or project. 9 hours supervision. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units.
(008886)

A maximum of 6 units of 400/500-level courses in Recreation, Hospitality, and Parks Management may be used as long as they are approved in advance
by the Graduate Coordinator and as long as the overall requirement for 24 units of 600-level work has been met.

Students must submit an acceptable thesis based on research of a significant problem or issue in the discipline. An oral defense of the thesis is required. The thesis must be prepared in accordance with the format requirements in A Guide to Graduate Studies. The final thesis must be approved by the candidate's Graduate Advisory Committee, the Graduate Coordinator, and the Office of Graduate Studies. The thesis serves as a permanent record and is submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies for accession to the library.

b. Project Plan

Foundations of theory and the professional organization of the field of recreation. Exploration of the social, psychological, cultural, economic, physical, and environmental determinants of leisure behavior. Critical analysis of the growing body of research and literature in the field. 3 hours lecture.
(008873)

A critical examination of selected theories, current research, methods, and professional practice in management of leisure services in public, commercial, and non-profit settings. Examination of current relevant literature. Student research and in-depth presentations required. 3 hours seminar. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 4.0 units.
(008879)

A critical examination of selected theories, current research, methods, and professional practice in leadership for recreation and organizational settings. Examination of current, relevant literature. Student research and in-depth presentations required. 3 hours seminar. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 4.0 units.
(008882)

This course is offered for 1.0-6.0 units. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. Project requirements include development of a project directly related to the candidate's area of professional specialization; writing of the support document which defines the purpose of the project, describes the development process, and presents other related information. 9 hours supervision. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. Credit/no credit grading.
(008895)

This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of research methods associated with the field of communication. The predominant focus is quantitative inquiry with attention to surveys, experiments, content analysis, and evaluation research. Also included is experience in computer analysis of statistical data and construction of a research proposal. 3 hours seminar.
(002046)

The formation of research problems, evaluation of research, and research report styles in kinesiology. The interrelation of theory and research and the variety of researcy methods (e.g., descriptive, experimental, qualitative) are examined. This is a required course in the MA program. 3 hours seminar.
(015962)

Note: KINE 602 may be taken only with the Graduate Advisory Committee's approval.

12 units selected from:

Select an additional 12 units of course work approved by the Graduate Advisory Committee chair. Selected courses may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Knowledge and skill development in writing grant proposals for health and community services. Skills in researching government, foundation, and corporate funding opportunities. Diversifying nonprofit income through other fundraising strategies. 3 hours seminar.
(001618)

This course is an internship offered for 1.0-4.0 units. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. Supervised field experience in a selected agency congruent with the student's major emphasis. Periodic conferences, and evaluation sessions with student, agency personnel, and University faculty. Student reports are required. 9 hours supervision. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 15.0 units.
(008885)

This course is a graduate-level independent study offered for 1.0-6.0 units. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. Research is supervised by a faculty member and is separate from the thesis or project. 9 hours supervision. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units.
(008886)

A maximum of 6 units of 400/500-level courses in Recreation, Hospitality, and Parks Management may be used as long as they are approved in advance by the Graduate Coordinator and as long as the overall requirement for 24 units of 600-level work has been met.

Students must conduct a creative project, demonstration, or presentation of acceptable quality, depth, and breadth on an aspect of recreation and leisure studies. The project must be accompanied by a formal written document prepared in accordance with the format requirements in A Guide to Graduate Studies. This document serves as a permanent record of the project and is submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies for accession to the library. Students must make an oral presentation of the project to their Graduate Advisory Committee. The project and accompanying formal written document must be approved by the candidate's Graduate Advisory Committee, the Graduate Coordinator, and the Office of Graduate Studies.

Graduate Requirement in Writing Proficiency:

Writing proficiency is a graduation requirement.

Recreation and Parks Management students will demonstrate their writing competence through successfully completing RECR 611 (Theory of Leisure and Recreation) and RECR 642 (Seminar in Leisure Services Management).

Graduate Grading Requirements:

All courses in the major (with the exceptions of Independent Study - 697, Comprehensive Examination - 696, Master's Project - 699P, and Master's Thesis - 699T) must be taken for a letter grade, except those courses specified by the department as ABC/No Credit (400/500-level courses), AB/No Credit (600-level courses), or Credit/No Credit grading only. A maximum of 10 units combined of ABC/No Credit, AB/No Credit, and Credit/No Credit grades may be used on the approved program (including 697, 696, 699P, 699T and courses outside the major). While grading standards are determined by individual programs and instructors, it is also the policy of the University that unsatisfactory grades may be given when work fails to reflect achievement of the high standards, including high writing standards, expected of students pursuing graduate study.

Students must maintain a minimum 3.0 grade point average in each of the following three categories: all course work taken at any accredited institution subsequent to admission to the master's program; all course work taken at CSU, Chico subsequent to admission to the program; and all courses on the approved master's degree program.

Graduate Advising Requirement:

Advising is mandatory each semester. Consult the Graduate Coordinator for specifics.

University Catalog
California State University, Chico
400 West First Street
Chico, CA 95929